What is vi?
The default editor that comes with the UNIX operating system is called vi (visual editor).
[Alternate editors for UNIX environments include pico and emacs, a product of GNU.]
The UNIX vi editor is a full screen editor and has two modes of operation:
1. Command mode commands which cause action to be taken on the file, and
2. Insert mode in which entered text is inserted into the file.
In the command mode, every character typed is a command that does something to the
text file being edited; a character typed in the command mode may even cause the vi
editor to enter the insert mode. In the insert mode, every character typed is added to the
text in the file; pressing the <Esc> (Escape) key turns off the Insert mode.
While there are a number of vi commands, just a handful of these is usually sufficient for
beginning vi users. To assist such users, this Web page contains a sampling of basic vi
commands. The most basic and useful commands are marked with an asterisk (* or star)
in the tables below. With practice, these commands should become automatic.
NOTE: Both UNIX and vi are case-sensitive. Be sure not to use a capital letter in place
of a lowercase letter; the results will not be what you expect.
To Get Into and Out Of vi
To Start vi
To use vi on a file, type in vi filename. If the file named filename exists, then the first
page (or screen) of the file will be displayed; if the file does not exist, then an empty file
and screen are created into which you may enter text.
To Exit vi
Usually the new or modified file is saved when you leave vi. However, it is also possible
to quit vi without saving the file.
Note: The cursor moves to bottom of screen whenever a colon (:) is typed. This type of
command is completed by hitting the <Return> (or <Enter>) key.